ACID REFLUX

Two Common Causes of Acid Reflux Both Stem From the Nervous System

Acid reflux may be caused from several factors. Essentially this is a burning sensation (commonly called heart burn) the occurs in the center of the chest when acid from the stomach leaks back into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). Because the acid from the stomach is not meant to in the esophagus, the cells are injured and will send pain signals to the brain.

Two common causes of this reflux are improper closing of the cardiac sphincter (the dividing latch separating the esophagus and stomach) or improper digestion of food leading to gas and bloating, which will force the acid back into the esophagus to release the pressure. The dysfunction of the cardiac sphincter could in part be caused by a hiatal hernia, where a piece of the stomach pushes back through the hole in the diaphragm (the muscle that controls breathing at rest) where the esophagus meets the stomach.

Digestion is coordinated by part of the nervous system known as the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is broken down into sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) divisions. The normal motion of the spine sends signals to the brain that coordinate the balance between these two divisions. Spinal subluxations can create imbalances in these divisions which lead to digestive distress and disorders, such as acid reflux. This is why many cases of acid reflux respond favorably to chiropractic care.